Rayo Vallecano in talks to loan Unai Núñez to strengthen defense Rayo Vallecano is negotiating to bring in defender Unai Núñez on loan from Celta de Vigo, according to El Gol Digital. The club from Vallecas, which finished the 2025 season in eighth place in LaLiga with 50 points (12 wins, 14 draws, and 12 losses), is looking to reinforce its defense ahead of the upcoming campaign, which will include both domestic and European competition. ## Why does Rayo Vallecano want Núñez? Unai Núñez, 29, is an experienced center-back with a track record in LaLiga, having played for Athletic Club, Celta de Vigo, and Valencia. His profile fits perfectly with Rayo Vallecano's needs, as the club seeks a defender without a transfer fee. Additionally, his arrival would be a temporary solution, as the Madrid-based team cannot afford a permanent signing at the moment. ## What happened with Núñez at Celta? Celta manager Claudio Giráldez has made it clear that Núñez is not part of his plans for the upcoming season. The defender, who joined the Galician club in July 2024 for 7 million euros, barely played last season and was loaned out to Hellas Verona and Valencia, where he made 13 appearances (10 starts) and logged 912 minutes. ## What's next in the negotiations? The most viable deal for both parties is a loan, which would allow Rayo Vallecano to add a reliable defender without spending on a transfer, while Celta would offload a player who is not in Giráldez's plans. The league kicks off on the weekend of August 15-16, giving both sides three weeks to finalize the agreement.